A new school year is well underway at Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) in Gretna, and executive director, Harold Schlegel, says it's been a relief for staff and students to be back doing things in-person.

"Seeing the smiles of our students and hearing their laughter as they move down the hallways is what school is all about," he said. "Teenagers love their friends, and it's neat to see them together enjoying each other's company. Weve got a great group of students (with) really positive attitudes." 

Schlegel noted, it's also quite a treat to once again hear the school's choirs and bands practicing and performing throughout the day. In addition, not only have MCI's volleyball teams been out playing this season, but the school is hosting a JV girls' tournament on Saturday.

The return to in-person learning as also meant the return of the many activities that make MCI unique, added Schlegel. This includes the daily worship service, which Schlegel feels draws people together toward a commonly held set of convictions and values. 

Following a three-year hiatus, MCI also resumed its annual Christian Life retreat this fall at Red Rock Bible Camp. 

"A wonderful time of building friendships, growing faith and just having an incredible amount of fun together," reflected Schlegel, noting the occasion often serves a turning point early in the year. "Kids come together, they don't know each other that well - they spend those three days together and boom, we're off and running."

With more than half of MCI students living on campus this year, Schlegel says they've also been able to do some unique things to further build community. 

"MCI has always treasured community, every school does," he noted. 

Overall, Schlegel feels a strong sense of optimism throughout the school, noting some new staff was welcomed into the fold this year as well. 

However, with that optimism, come some sobering elements, he noted, adding enrolment for 2022/23 didn't meet the goals administration had set out. There are just under 60 students attending the private Christian school this year, and ideally, Schlegel says they like to be over 100 in order offer a robust program.

"And so that puts a bit of pressure on us. Certainly, a very real financial pressure, but also wondering what we can do to keep drawing people in to access the wonderful programs that MCI has to offer," he explained.

That answer, noted Schlegel, lies in telling MCI's story. 

"During the pandemic we became more adept at using virtual means to do that, and some of that stuff we'll keep doing because it works well," he explained. At the same time, Schlegel says being able to tell that story face-to-face with people is also important. 

Another important avenue, he noted, is to bring potential students and families on to campus.

As well, MCI's work to recruit international students continues after the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Currently, six different nationalities are represented within the student population at the small border town institution. 

"We're going in to our 134th year. This school has been around for a long time, through ups and downs, times of struggle and times of real blessing," added Schlegel. "Every few years it feels like the school faces significant struggles, but by God's grace we've continued to be here, and so we keep trusting in that."